Christian Eriksen (left) and Denmark were defeated by Slovenia. Image: IMAGO images/kolbert-press
European Championship 2024
Denmark and Slovenia have achieved the first draw of the European Championship: in Stuttgart, the teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first match of Group C. One moment in particular will remain in the memory of many fans from the game.
The goals
1:0 Christian Eriksen (17.)
1:1 Erik Janza (77.)
THE scene of the game
The 1-0 for Denmark by Christian Eriksen: For the Danish playmaker, it is the first game at a European Championship since he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at the last European Championship three years ago.
Exactly 1100 days later, Eriksen was back on the pitch for his country at a European Championship. He now plays with an implanted defibrillator and has definitely been the feel-good story of the tournament so far. The 32-year-old Dane positioned the ball before his goal with his left chest – where the operated heart is located.
The lesson of the game
Attention Bundesliga fans: Shortly before the end of the first half, ZDF commentator Claudia Neumann started a little language excursion. When pronouncing the name of Danish striker Jonas Wind – who plays for Vfl Wolfsburg at club level – the reporter deliberately omitted the “d”, so “Wind” became “Win”.
But she quickly clarified the circumstances: “No know-it-all attitude, just good preparation: The ‘D’ at the back is not really pronounced.” Then she added with a laugh: “Let’s see if we can achieve this consistently here.”
Claudia Neumann commented on the match between Denmark and Slovenia for ZDF.Image: imago images / ActionPictures
At least in the scene immediately following, Neumann also spoke about Joachim Andersen and left out the “D” in the surname Andersen. She thanked a “very nice” ex-colleague for the correct pronunciation of the Danish national team player – without saying who exactly she meant.
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The curiosity of the game
… happened in the 55th minute, when one of the key rule changes for this year’s European Championships came into effect for all to see. To prevent the players from harassing the referee in large numbers, as has been the case up to now, if they do not agree with one of his decisions, only the team captains are now allowed to speak to the referee.
But because on Sunday the two captains, Kasper Schmeichel and Jan Oblak, were goalkeepers, they had to appoint deputies, who spoke to the referee on their behalf. For Denmark, Eriksen was the “negotiator” and for Slovenia it was central defender Jaka Bijol.
Slovenia’s captain Jan Oblak: The game against Denmark was a special one.Image: IMAGO images / Student
What’s next for the teams
Slovenia will play against Serbia in Munich on Thursday at 3 p.m., while Denmark will face title favorite England three hours later in Frankfurt.